Australia's bold move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are considering comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong data".
Previously, support built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Charities have raised concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, legislation is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
As this international debate continues, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
